Purifier for cisterns



y 0, 1930. L. M. STRAIN PURIFIER FOR CISTERNS Filed April 21. 1928 gwue nto'o L.M SZ az'n Patentecl May 20, 1930 LESLIE M. STRAIN, OF MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA PURIFIER FOR CISTERNS Application filed April 21,

This invention relates to purifiers for cisterns and more particularly to a device of this character having means for adding to the water in the cistern a purifying substance such as permanganate of potassium.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including means for eliminating noxious gases such as are often formed with the addition of the purifying agent.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device wherein the purifying agent is kept in constant contact with the water contained in the cistern in such a manner that while the chemical diffusion into the water is continuous it proceeds relatively slowly and is accelerated at the periods when water is drawn from the cistern, at which periods the water in the device will move 2 rapidly over the chemical.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a purifier constructed in accordance with my invention in position in a cistern;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the purifier;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,the numerals 10 and 11 indicate concentric tubes connected at their upper and lower ends by radially extending braces 12.

The lower ends of both tubes are preferably enlarged and in the lower end of the inner tube is inserted and suitably secured the upper end of a container 18 for the reception of the purifying agent. This container adjacent the lower end of the tube has apertures 15 formed therein. The lower end of the outer tube has a bell 16 secured thereto.

In the use of this device, the concentric tubes are inserted in the cistern 17 with the larger ends thereof down and are supported therein so that the lower end of the bell 16 is adjacent to but in spaced relation to the bottom 18 of the cistern while the upper end thereof projects through the top 19 ofthe This discharge takes place within the bell 1928. Serial No. 271,9Q2.

cistern. The upper ends of the tubes are screened, as indicated at 20.

It will be obvious that since the upper ends of the tubes 10 and 11 are open, water will rise therein to the level of the water in the cistern, the water entering the tube 10 through the openings 15 of the container 13. lVhen water is drawn from the cistern, the level in these tubes will lower, with the result that water will pass from the tube 10 through the openings 15 of the container.

This water both in its entry to and removal from andwhile it remains within the tube is in contact with the purifying agent, generally designated at 21, and when it leaves the tube, is-substantially .in the form of a saturate solution thereof. Thus, at each withdrawal of water, a charge of the purifying agent is added to the water within the cistern.

and accordingly any noxious gases forming may pass upwardly in the space between the tubes 10 and 11 and escape atthe upper end thereof. This bell further serves as a means for distributing the purifying agent through the water.

Following are the dimensions of a purif ing device actually used in a cistern having a capacity of approximately fifty barrels or roughly twenty-fourhundred gallons. This cistern would be approximately six feet square and eight feet deep. The outer pipe or tube 11 is approximately one and a half inches in diameter and the inner pipe 10 approximately three-quarters of an inch in diameter. Any suitable holding means may be mounted in the outer tube for maintaining the inner tube in place and both tubes are usually supplied in two and a half foot lengths which are connected together by the usual nipplecouplings. The upper ends of both tubes project about three inches above the top of the cistern. .The chemical container 13 has a central diameter of approximately two inches and tapers from the central part downwardly to a bottom or base of approximately one inch in diameter, the upper end of the receptaclebeing at the outlet approximately three-quarters of an inch in diameter. For a cistern of the size above described the upper portion of the receptacle adjacent the top where it is attached to the lower end of the inner pipe 10, is provided with four apertures approximately three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The bell 16 suspended from the lower end of the outer tube 11 and surrounding the chemical receptacle is approximately four inches in diameter at the mouth or widest part.

When in use the chemical container may if desired rest directly upon the bottom of the cistern in which case the bell will be dis posed above or free from contact therewith. The chemical container is never located nearer than two feet from the point'where the water is drawn from the cistern.

During the period when the device is in use which is usually during the months of June to December inclusive a charge of approximately twenty-one and a half grains of the chemical is introduced each two weeks. This amount suffices to keep the contents of a cistern of the size described free from bacteria growths which would render the water therein unfit for drinking.

It will be obvious that a structure of this character may be very cheaply and readily produced and may be readily installed in the cistern. It will be noted that the bell 16 merely constitutes an enlargement or an extension of the tube 11 and might be integrally attached to this tube, if so desired. It will also be noted that a purifying agent may be added from time to time by introducing the same through the upper end of the tube 1 0, the screen 20 being made removable for this purpose.

lVhile I have above described the apparatus as in use in connection with a cistern and as employed for the purpose of purifying the water therein, it will be obvious that by placing a water softening agent in the container, the apparatus may be used for softening water. It will further be obvious that such an apparatus is equally applicable to use in wells or any other body of liquid which must be purified or softened.

It will also be obvious that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification w thout materially departing from the spirit of the invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In an attachment for cisterns and other storage tanks, a tube opening through the top of the tank and having at its lower end a receptacle, a purifying agent in the receptacle, there being openings admitting the con tents of the tank to the tube through the lower end thereof at a point above the bottom of the receptacle and the agent therein, and a storage tanks, a tube opening through the top of the tank and extending downwardly thereinto, a receptacle detachably connected to the lower end of the tube, a purifying agent in the receptacle, there being openings admitting the contents of the tank to the receptacle immediately above the purifying agent, a second tube surrounding the first named tube and having its lower end extended in close proximity to the bottom of the tank, and a removable screen cap for said tubes, said second tube having a portion of the lower end surrounding the receptacle and flared outwardly thereabout.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature.

LESLIE M. STRAIN.

ZED 

